Gastric Fundus Mucosal Ablation (GFMA)

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What Is GFMA & How It Works

Gastric Fundus Mucosal Ablation (GFMA) is a novel, groundbreaking procedure pioneered by the medical and research teams at True You Weight Loss.

The procedure involves endoscopic gastric mucosal ablation or application of thermal energy (heat) to the inner lining of the top part of the stomach called the gastric Fundus. It is performed by a gastroenterologist using an endoscope, a small tube with a camera, and a light.

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During the procedure, True You Weight Loss doctors use a tiny ablation device to treat the mucosal (surface) layer of the stomach lining. Gastric mucosal ablation leads to changes in the stomach tissue, including a direct reduction in the hunger hormone, ghrelin.

The Fundus is responsible for 80-90% of ghrelin production in the body. Ghrelin is a very powerful hormone. It’s what makes us feel hungry before meals, and what leads us to eventually crave more food as we diet. Ghrelin is designed for survival but can resist our efforts to lose weight.

GFMA eliminates the ghrelin-producing cells, preventing them from triggering the release of this appetite-stimulating hormone. The result: less hunger, reduced cravings, and greater control to resist overeating.

The Benefits of Choosing Gastric Fundus Mucosal Ablation

Researchers at True You Weight Loss designed and conducted the first studies of GFMA, with their rigorous clinical trials confirming the potential benefits of this groundbreaking procedure:
  • A 45% decrease in circulating ghrelin following the procedure.
  • A greater than 50% reduction in ghrelin-producing cells within the treated tissue.
  • Decreased hunger, appetite, and cravings.
  • A 42% reduction in stomach capacity, due to Fundus contraction and remodeling.
  • Increased confidence to resist overeating.
  • Average weight loss of 8% of body weight, and up to 17% of body weight, within 6 months.
  • Mild post-procedure symptoms lasting only 1 to 3 days

Disclaimer: The GFMA procedure is performed using the ERBE VIO3 and APC3 devices, which are FDA 510(k) cleared for coagulation and ablation of tissue. However, the use of these devices for the treatment of weight is currently investigational.

Why Choose True You for GFMA?

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Endoscopic Expertise

True You Weight Loss, founded by Dr. Christopher McGowan, is the nation’s first and only dedicated endobariatric weight loss center. Our team is triple board certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and obesity medicine and is recognized as the leading endoscopic bariatric practice in the nation. Our team conducted the first rigorous human study on the effectiveness of GFMA, pioneering this innovative approach.

What to Expect

Lifelong Follow-up

Our medical and patient care team is here to support you every step of the way, including before, during, and after your weight loss procedure. You will have a full team of experts, including physicians, nurses, and dietitians at your disposal to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals. We are here to guide you in your journey for as long as you need.

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24/7 Physician Access

At True You, we know you need support and guidance when questions come up before or after your procedure. We value providing the highest level of concierge care with 24/7 direct access to your physician via personal cell phone, text, email, or video chat.

Gastric FUndus Mucosal Ablation

STARTING AT

$136/Monthly*

or $7,495

*Financing offers subject to credit approval, and may vary based on individual credit history.

Am I eligible for the GFMA procedure?

Gastric Mucosal Ablation Ablation is still an investigational procedure. The True You Weight Loss team pioneered this technique and continues to investigate the use of GFMA for patients with obesity in multiple ongoing studies. If you are an adult with obesity or pre-obesity, you may be eligible for the GFMA procedure within a clinical trial or registry. Contact our team to speak directly with one of our experts.
The GFMA procedure is clinically proven to reduce hunger, stomach capacity, and weight. If you have struggled to lose weight through diet, exercise, or other modalities, and if hunger (often referred to as “food noise”) is problematic, GFMA may be a helpful treatment.

This is the only non-surgical approach to reduce the hunger hormone ghrelin. Prior to the development of GFMA, the only way to reduce ghrelin was to surgically remove or bypass the gastric Fundus with a surgical sleeve gastrectomy or roux-en-y gastric bypass. At True You Weight Loss, we understand that traditional bariatric surgery may be too drastic for some patients. The novel endoscopic GFMA procedure may be an alternative strategy for patients who don’t want surgery.

The GLP-1 medications, including Wegovy and Zepbound, control appetite through the glucagon-like-peptide 1 hormonal pathway. Boosting the effect of GLP-1 helps to curb hunger but does not directly alter ghrelin. By comparison, GFMA works directly to reduce ghrelin levels in the body. Though these treatments work through completely different hormonal pathways, patients describe a similar reduction in “food noise” and “head hunger.” However, with GFMA, there is no need for ongoing medication injections to sustain this effect.

Mucosal ablation is a technique that involves applying thermal energy, or heat, within the body. This technique is commonly used to treat growth, lesions, or other abnormalities within the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric Fundus mucosal ablation is a non-surgical procedure that ablates the mucosal lining of the gastric Fundus – the top part of the stomach. Mucosal ablation is an FDA-authorized technique, though its use as a primary weight loss treatment is still investigational.

Yes. GFMA was proven to be safe in the first-in-human clinical trials of GFMA conducted by True You Weight Loss researchers. The most common side effects were mild and included gas, bloating, nausea, and aversion to savory foods. There were no serious adverse events in these studies. The GFMA procedure is a highly advanced, investigational procedure, and should only be performed by experts trained and experienced in the technique. Risks of the procedure could include bleeding, ulceration, or perforation.

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